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Priceless Vol 8 Number 7


Professionals Network at Palm Gardens in Norfolk


Page 8


Will 12 Years a Slave Change Hollywood?


Personal and Professional Empowerment www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


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Check Out Our Photos of the Month


Page 9


Dr. Harvey Makes a Gift to Talladega College


Page 3


Hampton Roads DJ Participates in 2014 McDonald's Flavor Battle National DJ Competition


DJ R-Tistic of Los Angeles crowned champion by celebrity DJs Spinderella, Just Blaze, DJ Clue and 2013 Flavor Battle winner


12 Years a Slave Director Steve McQueen, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs and director Spike Lee. Photo credit: KEVORK DJANSEZIAN


BY KELI GOFF Admirers of 12 Years a


Slave are still basking in the Academy Awards’ afterglow. The fact that a film by a black screenwriter and black director—depicting


a black


man’s painful but ultimately triumphant true life story—won several Oscars, including the top prize for best picture, is a dream come true, particularly for moviegoers of color.


But the success of 12


Years a Slave presents both a milestone and a challenge for those who care about diversity in Hollywood.


More often winning translated than not,


Oscars hasn’t into


earning power or clout for winners, particularly


been catapulted


of color. Recent awardees Mo’Nique and Octavia Spencer haven’t


increased those


to


headliner wins.


status since their Louis Gossett Jr., the


second black man to take home an Oscar, previously told The Root of his disappointment with how little the win did for his career and the challenges that continue to exist for African Americans in Hollywood. “It’s my prayer,” Gossett said, “that Spike Lee gets his money so he can do more relevant stuff, and Antoine Fuqua, too. There are so many stories that Halle Berry could do, Forest Whitaker. And we can’t measure it with our inclusion in the Oscars and the Emmys. We just have to do it.”


an important question. What matters more: seeing minorities in


the


receive acclaim, or seeing more minorities ascend to positions of power behind the scenes so that they can get more of our


HOLLYWOOD PAGE 11 This Edition’s Highlights


Your Opinion Matters Editorial Health


Hampton Roads Upcoming Events Scholarships Watch


Guiding Young Girls Is Paramount to the Success of All Communities African-American Parents Are Homeschooling


Your Liver Delivers Protect It From Harm HU Student Wins a Prestigious Trip to Japan 2-Day First-Time Homebuyer Class Frederick C. Branch Scholarship


14 4 3


12 13 10


DJ R-Tistic took home the $10,000 grand prize and major bragging rights during the 2014 McDonald's Flavor Battle finale event. The Los Angeles native represented the Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder* and used his best mix to beat out DJ Niena Drake of Chicago and DJ Erika B of Newport News, Va., during an in-studio finale that was broadcast online at 9 p.m. EST on FlavorBattle.com.


Flavor Battle is the greatest accomplishment


"Winning McDonald's I have


made as a DJ thus far," says DJ R-Tistic. "I am thankful McDonald's gave all 12 DJs the opportunity to display our skills and go head-to-head for the title."


2014 McDonald's Flavor Battle champion, DJ R-Tistic of Los Angeles, celebrates his win with show host, DJ Funkmaster Flex, and social media correspondent, TV/ radio personality, Sway Calloway. Photo credit: Soul Brother.


Bringing the flavor for a second year


in a row, the legendary DJ Funkmaster Flex hosted the final showdown while celebrity judges DJ Clue, Just Blaze, Spinderella and 2013 Flavor Battle champion, DeeJay


Element carefully critiqued and ultimately decided who would earn the 2014 crown. Judged on crowd appeal, mixing


skills,


technique and performance flow, each finalist worked hard to impress celebrity judges. TV personality and radio host, Sway Calloway of "Sway in the Morning", served as the social


FLAVOR BATTLE PAGE 7


Gossett’s reflection raises Money and Banking Tips for the Tax Season entertainment industry


How can you save money and avoid a variety of problems at tax time?


Guard against tax-related frauds. Examples include scam e-mails


falsely


claiming to come from the IRS. Many of these are intended to trick taxpayers into revealing Social Security numbers and other personal information that can be used by criminals to steal victims' identity and money, including tax refunds. Others involve phone callers saying the taxpayer owes money to the IRS that must be paid promptly by wire transfer (that actually goes to the crook) or by loading funds onto a prepaid debit card and then sharing the number. The scammer may try to intimidate a targeted victim who refuses to cooperate, such as by threatening arrest or suspension of a business or driver's license. For information from the IRS about tax frauds targeting consumers, visit www.irs. gov/uac/Tax-Scams-Consumer-Alerts.


Carefully choose how to prepare your


taxes. At tax time, you gather and submit a substantial amount of sensitive information that, if misused, could cause you significant problems. If you are using a computer program to prepare your return, make sure


Free March 2014


that your computer has an up-to-date security package.


If you plan to hire a tax preparer, consider factors such as the preparer's professional background and the likelihood that


the


preparer will be around to help you answer questions the IRS may ask months after your return has been filed. For tips from the IRS on how to choose a tax preparer, including red flags to avoid, go to www.irs.gov/taxtopics/ tc254.html.


After you choose a preparer, carefully review the completed tax return. Question


TAX SEASON PAGE 5


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